tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123627731157622876.post2033201670551114781..comments2023-09-04T01:43:36.781-07:00Comments on Thirteen Blessings: "Do you have family planning?"Ruth Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00297156024421986096noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123627731157622876.post-41879212080891321752008-12-13T13:10:21.000-08:002008-12-13T13:10:21.000-08:00Thank-you for all your blog entries on this topic!...Thank-you for all your blog entries on this topic! It takes a lot of courage to say something so counter-cultural and unpopular even in many Christian circles. I find this so confusing. I have many strong Christian couples in my extended family who are completely trusting in God in terms of finances, health, serving others etc.; yet their hearts are so closed towards having more than 2 children. I see this as the link between contraception and abortion. By choosing to contracept, a couple has hardened their hearts against a child. If they get a 'surprise' the temptation to abort is higher than it would have been had they not been contracepting. If you look at the stats, contraceptives are more widely available, effective, and socially acceptable today than they were in the 1960's. Yet we have more 'unwanted pregnancies' and abortions than ever.<br><br>I also wanted to add that ALL Christian churches were against contraception up until 1930, when the Anglican church decided they would allow it in certain grave circumstances. Since then, nearly every denomination has changed their stance from forbidding it, to advocating contraception as 'responsible parenting'.<br><br>Another thing is that faithful Christian couples have always had recourse to self-control if they had a serious reason to postpone pregnancy. Thankfully, in modern times, there has been an increasing understanding of God's design of the woman's body, so abstinence need not be absolute. I believe a couple using natural family planning for serious reasons is still open to life, because each time they make love, they are doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to prevent God from creating a new life from that act if He so desires. (Even if they know it is unlikely at that time due to His design of the woman's body). Modern methods of natural family planning (NOT the rhythm method!) are as reliable as any form of contraception without all the nasty side effects.<br><br>I also recognise that some couples have discerned that *their* call to openness to life is to be answered by not using any measures to postpone pregnancy.<br><br>I have read some really great books on this topic. The first is 'Life-Giving Love' by Kimberly Hahn. The second is 'The Good News About Sex & Marriage' by Christopher West. <br><br>BTW, I have 3 girls and hope to have more children in the future. :)Keelynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123627731157622876.post-80722703847147490192008-12-11T06:16:01.000-08:002008-12-11T06:16:01.000-08:00Hi! I am interested to hear your experience - not...Hi! I am interested to hear your experience - not too surprised. After each of the births of my three children, I was asked what I was going to do about family planning, and before each of the births I was asked if I had been using contraception. In the UK this is standard practice, and I find that the midwives and nurses are very respectful of whatever decision their patients come to - although I know others who hold very strong views one way or the other as to the rights and wrongs of "trusting in G-" or "taking sensible decisions on family planning" depending on the perspective. I live in an area where there are people from all different cultural backgrounds. Many have made the decision either not to use contraception or not to consider terminating a pregnancy. As a Jew, I take a middle line: I feel that children are the biggest blessing and privilege a person can have, but I do feel that there are circumstances when it is right for a couple to decide not to have more of them. Pregnancies have been much more difficult for me as an older mum than when I was younger.<br><br>We laughed when we read the book "Cheaper by the Dozen" (published 1948) about a couple who have 12 children. It was written by two of the dozen: Frank B. Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. You might already have it on your bookshelves. I am sure that you and members of your family will enjoy reading it - if you haven't enjoyed it already. There are a lot of "big family" jokes in that book, including the story of when the mum is invited to join the local committee for educating women about family planning. Your blog on the subject really shows how little has changed, in some respects, over the past 100 or so years. But they didn't have Malden Mills fleece in those days! nor automatic washing-machines...Leonorahttp://uk.geocities.com/leonorasamuelnoreply@blogger.com